PADUCAH, Ky. (July 24, 2019) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has announced a reduction in the load limit on the U.S. 60 Cumberland River Bridge at Smithland effective Thursday, July 25. The load limit resulted from a recent bridge preservation analysis of the weight carrying capacity of the structure that showed the deterioration of the center stringer on the bridge, likely accelerated by overweight trucks crossing the bridge.
The bridge is at U.S. 60 mile point 12.697 at the north edge of Smithland in Livingston County. The bridge carries about 3,500 vehicles on an average day.
The new load limits on the bridge are:
- Type 1: 17 tons
- Type 2: 18 tons
- Type3: 20 tons
- Type 4: 32 tons
- Single Unit Vehicle with five axles: 22 tons
- Single Unit Vehicle with 6 axles: 22 tons
- Single Unit Vehicle with 7+ axles: 24 tons
The new load rating represents a three to eight ton reduction for most truck classes. The load rating for all bridge structures is posted at the bridge end.
KYTC District 1 Chief Engineer Kyle Poat noted that the engineering staff is working on a repair plan that could restore the current bridge load rating. Truckers are reminded to obey the posted weight limits to avoid adding stress to the bridge. KYTC will provide an update once a repair plan is completed and repair work scheduled.
“We plan to bid construction of a new Smithland Bridge crossing next February of 2020 that is expected to take about two years to complete,” Poat said. “Temporarily reducing the weight limit on this 88-year-old bridge ensures the safety and viability of the existing bridge.”
The U.S. 60 Cumberland River bridge at Smithland, also known as the Lucy Jefferson Lewis Memorial Bridge and the Smithland Bridge, is at U.S. 60 Livingston County mile point 12.697. The 1,817 ft. through truss structure was opened to traffic in 1931.
The U.S. 60 Cumberland River Bridge at Smithland is at Cumberland River navigation mile point 2.7.
Timely traffic advisories for the 12 counties of KYTC Highway District 1 are available by going to www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict1. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page.
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